The King Stallion at MCAS Yuma

Posted on | by Robbin Laird
01/14/2025

The King Stallion as the latest major aviation addition to the USMC has come to MCAS Yuma in two major ways.

VMX-1, the key Marine Corps operational test squadron, based at MCAS Yuma and they received their first King Stallion last June. This brought together all the key aricraft which the Marines are operating for the use of VMX-1. As the Marines are moving ahead on their evolving approach to basing operations, having the new heavy lift helo onboard is crucial. For although it is labelled a “heavy lift” helicopter in the evolving approach of the Marine Corps to distributed operations it is better understood as a major provider of distributed capability for a force dedicated to delivery distributed martime effects, with or without the use of a capital ship in creating that effect.

In this interview, U.S. Marine Corps Lt Col Warren Crittenden, CH-53K lead operational test director, and Master Gunnery Sgt. Charles Sasser, maintenance chief, both Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 1, discuss the arrival of the CH-53K King Stallion at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, Arizona, June 14, 2024.

The second major way is that the King Stallion is now a regular participant in the core activity of MAWTS-1, namely the WTI events held twice a year. MAWTS-1 trains the instructors for the USMC’s operational squadrons and are at the heart of the ongoing evolution of the combat tactics and procedures for the USMC.

In this video, the King Stallion at WTI I-25 is highlighted.

U.S. Marines with 2nd Distribution Support Battalion and Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One observe a CH-53K King Stallion lift a Tractor, Rubber-tired, Articulated Steering, Multipurpose vehicle during a heavy lift exercise as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 1-25 at Auxiliary Airfield II in Yuma, Arizona, Oct. 21, 2024. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine aviation in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, Joint and Coalition Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trent A. Henry)
U.S. Marines with 2nd Distribution Support Battalion and Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One, work to secure a Tractor, Rubber-tired, Articulated Steering, Multipurpose vehicle to a CH-53K King Stallion during a heavy lift exercise as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 1-25 at Auxiliary Airfield II in Yuma, Arizona, Oct. 21, 2024. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine aviation in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, Joint and Coalition Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trent A. Henry)
U.S. Marines with 2nd Distribution Support Battalion and Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One, work to secure a Tractor, Rubber-tired, Articulated Steering, Multipurpose vehicle to a CH-53K King Stallion during a heavy lift exercise as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 1-25 at Auxiliary Airfield II in Yuma, Arizona, Oct. 21, 2024. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine aviation in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, Joint and Coalition Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trent A. Henry)
U.S. Marines with 2nd Distribution Support Battalion and Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One work to secure a Tractor, Rubber-tired, Articulated Steering, Multipurpose vehicle to a CH-53K King Stallion during a heavy lift exercise as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 1-25 at Auxiliary Airfield II in Yuma, Arizona, Oct. 21, 2024. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine aviation in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, Joint and Coalition Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trent A. Henry)
U.S. Marines with 2nd Distribution Support Battalion and Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One work to secure a Tractor, Rubber-tired, Articulated Steering, Multipurpose vehicle to a CH-53K King Stallion during a heavy lift exercise as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 1-25 at Auxiliary Airfield II in Yuma, Arizona, Oct. 21, 2024. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine aviation in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, Joint and Coalition Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trent A. Henry)
A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53K King Stallion assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One maneuvers while lifting a Tractor, Rubber-tired, Articulated Steering, Multipurpose vehicle during a heavy lift exercise as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 1-25 at Auxiliary Airfield II in Yuma, Arizona, Oct. 21, 2024. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine aviation in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, Joint and Coalition Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trent A. Henry)
U.S. Marines with 2nd Distribution Support Battalion and Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One, work to secure a Tractor, Rubber-tired, Articulated Steering, Multipurpose vehicle to a CH-53K King Stallion during a heavy lift exercise as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 1-25 at Auxiliary Airfield II in Yuma, Arizona, Oct. 21, 2024. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine aviation in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, Joint and Coalition Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trent A. Henry)
U.S. Marines with 2nd Distribution Support Battalion and Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One, work to secure a Tractor, Rubber-tired, Articulated Steering, Multipurpose vehicle to a CH-53K King Stallion during a heavy lift exercise as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 1-25 at Auxiliary Airfield II in Yuma, Arizona, Oct. 21, 2024. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine aviation in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, Joint and Coalition Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trent A. Henry)
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Martin Lloyd, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin native and a logistics specialist with 2nd Distribution Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, participates in a heavy lift exercise as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 1-25 at Auxiliary Airfield II in Yuma, Arizona, Oct. 21, 2024. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine aviation in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, Joint and Coalition Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trent A. Henry)